Brake cylinder pressure control apparatus



Dec. 13, 1949 COOK BRAKE CYLINDER PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1947 w? mv INVENTOR.

- EARLE S. COOK BY wzzzzq ATTORNEY E. S. COOK BRAKE CYLINDER PRESSURE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 25, 1947 Dec. 13, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EARLE S. COOK AT TORNEY Patented Dec. 13, 1949 BRAKE CYLINDER PRESSURE 001511.301; APPARATUS Earle S. Cook, Forest Hills, Pa., assignor (ii iii Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wil ding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania;

Application October 25, 1947, Serial No. 782,;

11 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic fluid pressure brake equipment, such as the AB type, for railway vehicles, and more particularly to means for releasing and reapplying by fluid under pressure the brakes on a vehicle with the brake pipe completely vented.

When a vehicle provided with such equipment and having the reservoir or reservoirs thereof charged with fluid under pressure is cut out of a train for switching operation, inspection of the brake equipment or the like, the brake pipe is completely vented and the brake controlling valve device will move to emergency position and establish communication between said reservoir or reservoirs and the brake cylinder device, whereupon the pressure of fluid in said reservoirs will equalize into said brake cylinder device and effect an emergency application of the brakes on the vehicle.

To permit movement of the vehicle for switching purposes it is then necessary to release the fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device and it is desirable to effect such release without dissipating the fluid pressure still remaining in the reservoir or reservoirs. Further, if on inspection, adjustment of the brake equipment is found desirable, such as in case of excessive brake cylinder piston travel or renewal of brake shoes, it is also necessary to release the fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device to effect the adjustment or for replacing the brake shoes and to thenresupply fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder device to reapply the brakes for checking the adjustment.

One object of the invention is therefore the provision of an improved release and application valve mechanism for use on railway vehicles and which is adapted to be operated manually by a trainman, either while riding the vehicle or from the ground, and with the brake pipe completely vented, for releasing the fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device on the vehicle without losing the fluid pressure still remaining in the reservoir or reservoirs thereon, and for reapplying the brakes, if necessary or desirable, by supplying fluid under pressure thus retained in said reservoir or reservoirs to the brake cylinder device.

If the brake release and application valve mechanism is in its brake release position for releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device at the time a vehicle is cut into a train, it is desirable, upon recharging of the brake equipment on the vehicle through the brake pipe, that said mechanism automatically nected to the AB control valve, and Stand return to its normal; the brake cylinder dje ling valve device to p trolling valve device, afldf invention is the pr i P which will automatically o era ner.

apparent from the followi scription of the invention.

In the accompanying draw diagrammatic view, partly in" a n in outline, of a fluid pressurebrake quipme embodying one form of the inven a similar view embodying a, differe of a third form of the invention.

Description As shown in the drawings, 1 de'si pipe bracket of an AB control valve, 't a I portion is indicated by 2 and the e er portion by 3. 4 designates the brake pipe designate pipes connecting, respectively, tl'iea iliary and emergency reservoirs to the A trol valve. I designates the brake cylind lease pipe of the AB control valve adapte be connected to the usual pressure retainingfv ve device (not shown), and 8 designates the 'b e cylinder or application and release pipeglco nected to said control valve and adapted t connected to the brake cylinder device 9.

All of the parts so far described are of known construction, the AB control valve being sta 'dard on American railroads.

Interposed in the brake cylinder pipe 8 between the AB control valve and the brake cyl inder device 9 is a brake release and application valve device II] which, for the purpose of illustration, comprises a casing containing a plug valve H having a brake application position, in which it is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and a brake release position and adapted to be turned to either of said positions by a lever l2. In the plug valve II is a port 13 arranged in the brake release position to establish communication through pipe 8 to permit flow of fluid under pressure in the direction from the AB control valve to the brake cylinder 9 for effecting an application of brakes on a vehicle and in the reverse direction from said brake cylinder device through said control valve for releasing the brakes on the vehicle in the Well-known man- 3 ner. In the brake release position of the plug valve H, in which position communication between the AB control valve and the brake cylinder device 9 is closed, the port I3 is adapted to register with an atmospheric port [4 in the casing of the plug valve, while a cavity I5 in said valve, constantly open to port I3, is adapted to register with the portion of pipe 8 open to brake cylinder device 9 for thereby opening said brake cylinder device to atmosphere.

The lever 12 is connected by "a link E6 to one end of a lever I! the other end of which is'secured to a shaft 18. The shaft 1%? is adapted to extend from side to side of the vehicle and-on each of its opposite ends there is provided a'handle t9 for operation by a trainman either while riding the vehicle or from the ground. The handles it have two positions, namely, a release position and an application position, as indicated in the drawing by appropriate legends. Upon movement of either handle "Is to its eiessep siuon the'l'eve'rs ii and [2 will be operated to turn the plug valve I to its brake rie selpcsiuen, while upon movement of either handle to its application position said levers will operate s ai d plug valve to its ap- H QHQ q i i i- A mechanism 23 is provided for automatically moving the brake application andrelease valve device ill-to its'bralge application position upon charging of the brake .pipe 4, and thereby the brake equipmenton thevhicle, and for permitting manual movement'offsaid valve device by lever 12 to its different positions when the brake pipe is vented.

The mechanismfzfi 'isprei erably in the form of a-casing or cylinder containin a piston 21 subject on one side to pressure 'of nun in a pressure chamber 22 which is open to 'a"pipe"23. "A nonpressure chamber 2 fl isprovi'ded between the pposite side of piston 2| and a non-pressure head -'2 and is constantly op n to atmosphere as'by way for 'pOlt 2%. in the cylinder. iPSp'liI'E 2i cohtained in the non-"pressurefchamber 2' 1 'ac'ts'on thepiston 2 l 'for urgiri'git intooontact with a' stop "23. :A stop '33 extends "ii in the n'on pressure neauiz's into chainber fq iorfllimiting movement of "piston "21 against sprin'gYZT; Aim- 2s cohfiiecte'dfat one'e nd to the piston? l exteiidsth'erefrom through the in pressure "chamber 23 mun-pressure head'2 and"outsidefofisaid'cylinder "said rodis'providedwith transi' erse parts '3 t and "32' defining o'ppositeend walls ofa'slot-fiilinwhich thepl'u'g valve opera-tingle'v'er- [2i disposed. When the pressuretchajrnb''r ZZ-and pipe 'Z S ar'e void of fluid under pressure, in the structure shown'inFig. lfsprirrg 'lfisadaptedto move the piston 2! into contact ithstop 2'8and thereby 'ac'tuaterod 29"an'dpart3I thereof to pull-theor ferati'ng lever" I 2 and plugvalve l I to and then hold "them' in their normal or brak'e application position, in whichthey"are show'n'in the drawing, if such parts areinot already in said position. Upon supply'of fluid under pressure to, pipe 23 and pressure chamber "22 theipiston *2! Twill move ""a'gainst spring "2'! 'into'cont'a'ct with 'stopfii for actuating rod 23 relativetotheplu'g valve operating lever [2 to "a position inwh'ich thepa'rt sz ef 5am 'ro'd' may justlo on'tact said lever. when in its normal or application position, the slot being of Such length that With the piston" 2 against the stop 33 the lever f2 ahf'dfpliig valveiii can "be 'l'IiOV'd bybitlil' bPQ'lafiOrS Handle I9 t0"ltlil"'0f its dififfnt positions. I v N n v v In the struetur s's 1nFi'gS .f2 arid 3 the "cylinder 2a is arranged j'ust'opposite'to thatshown wow in Fig. 1, so that when the piston 2! is moved into contact with stop 33, as will occur upon supply of fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber 22 and pipe 23, the part 32 of the rod 29 will engage the cock operating lever 12 and move it to its normal or application position and then hold same against movement out (if said position by either handle IS. However, upon release of fluid pressure from pressure chamber 22 and pipe 23 the piston 2! will be moved into contact with stop 28 under-whichcoiidition the slot 33 will be so dis- "p'osed so as to permit movement of said lever and plug valve H by either handle is to either of its sun'rem position s Thepipe '23 connects the cylinder 22 to a pipe bracket 34 upon which is mounted a pilot valve "deVice 'SE. "The-pipe bracket 34 is provided with a-passage 36 open to pipe 23, a passage 3? open to the brake pipe 4, and two other passages 33 and 39. In the structure shown in Fig. 1 the passage 38 is open to atmosphe're'while the passage "3'9 is opeh to a'fiiiid fpre'ssilrefsupplypipe while'i'n the structure s h'owh in "Fig. -2 these coim'ections .ai' efjustrev'ised,in tl'i'atl'passage 3'3 isbpento the -fiui'd pressure "supply pipe 413 and passage 33 is open to atmosphere. The pipe "411 may be supplidt'vi'th fluid underp'ie'ssur'e from any suitable source, such asthe auxifia jyreserveir.

, 'The pilot valve device 35 comprises a "movable abutment preferably "in the form of a flexible diaphragm M open at ne dc to "a pressure chamber whichis conriec t'ed'tobrake pipe "4 through thebracketpassa'ge "31 At the opposite 'side of diaph m '41 is a'non pr'es'su're chamber 43 open 'to "atmosphere through "a passage and containing 'a diaplirag'in j'follower E5 'slidably mounted in u ecas ng ana engaging the adjacent side or said diaphragm. Pr'dje'ctingfromthe fo1lower 45 in a direction away from diaphr'agm fii is a rod '46. "Thero'd ffi'iitrids'through'a bore in a partition wall K1 into a chamber "58, said rod having s11 iri'g contact "with the "wall of said bore for niin'iniiz'iri'g 'le'aliage of fluid "under pressure has the iatter number to chamber 13. A s ring 33 contained in chamber 43 acts on the rmmwerrswsha chose .p ssureforurging diaphragrn fl tot'lie 'pfositio'nsh'dwn on the drawing; sense by contacttliereof the casing. v The chamber "E'Bis '6pei "tothe bracket passage as snatoiitain 'a vaiv'efschavinga hook'iit'ciis- Ipose'd'in'a'slotin"tlie"adjaceht ef'n'd'of rod' ifi for "moving said valvewith said rod, "The valve 5% a fiu'ted'stein' 52Ts1i'tl'alo1yfnoiiiited- "in" an axialbore 53 provided'in aplungerfl. The-plunger His s1idablyniounted 'ihftheicasirig an'd'is provided on the end: opposite the" valve 59"Witha' valve'55 c'on- "tsm'eaim a c airiibr S'Wai'idarranged -to control "commiiriicatiorfbtweeh said-chamber an'd elnannulartgroovej siTproviuedarounethe plunger at the seatingside lSfthevalve. 'The'chamber 5% is open to the'brackt'passagesewhiie the annular groove 51 is openfto the bracket passage Within the plum r154 theaxi'al bore 53 opens to another -axial e"5 8which fo'pefns through the v'alv'e"55 t chamber 56. A spgmgee contained-in fchambrfifi actsonthe valves 5' for urging it to its "seat. 7 V

7, The operation of the eqiiipm'iits-li'own' in' Fi'gll ofthe drawings is asfollows:

"Whnithe loi al ieecliiipiherit including the mix- "il'iafy and emergenc reservoirs is charged upto norma pressure-by ressontr charging the brake gpi-pe d to normal ,pres's'urein'th'e usual manner, tiieip seine off H "withtliatin tI'i BraKepipeM. "Whenrthebrake pipe pressure and the pressure in chamber 42 are thus increased to some chosen degree, such as 20 pounds, the diaphragm 4| will deflect against spring 49 and actuate rod 46 to seat valve 59 against the adjacent end of plunger 54 and then actuate said plunger [to open the valve 55. With the valve 55 open pressure chamber 22 in the cylinder 20 will be open to atmosphere past said valve and through the bracket passage 38 to permit spring 21 to actuate piston 2| and thereby rod 29 to move the plug valve H and operating lever |'2 Ito their normal or application position, in which they are shown in the drawing, for establishing communication through the brake cylinder pipe 8 between the AB control valve and the brake cylinder device 9 for rendering said control valve operative to control supply and release of fluid under pressure to and from said brake cylinder device in the usual manner. The pressure of spring 21 on the piston 2| is such as to prevent operation of lever |2 by a trainman operating either lever |9, when the pressure chamber 22 is vented as just described, to thereby insure that the plug valve l I will not accidentally or maliciously be turned from its normal position during operation of rthe vehicle in a train.

Now assume that the vehicle is cut out of a train for switching operations or the like under which condition the brake pipe 4 will be vented and the AB control valve will be in emergency position establishing communication between the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs and the brake cylinder device 9 through pipe 8, whereupon the fluid pressure in said reservoirs will equalize into said brake cylinder device for effecting an emergency application of brakes on the vehicle.

When the brake pipe 4 is completely vented as just described the pressure of fluid in diaphragm chamber 42 of the pilot valve device 35 will reduce with that in the brake pipe 4 to atmosphere and permit sprin 49 to deflect the diaphragm 4| to the position in which it is shown in the drawing, said spring also actuating rod 46 to pull valve 50 out of seating engagement with plunger '54 and to permit actuation of said plunger by spring 59 to seat valve 55. With the valve 55 seamed pressure chamber 22 in the cylinder 20 is disconnected from the atmospheric passage 38 in bracket 34 and opened through the bores 58 and 53 in the plunger 54 and past the open valve-50 to chamber 48 which is sup-plied with fluid under pressure from the auxiliary reservoir, whereupon such fluid will flow :to pressure chamber 22 and therein act on piston 2| to move it against spring 21 into contact with stop 33. This will move the part 3| of the piston rod 29 away from the plug valve operating lever 2.

Now in order to release the brakes on the vehicle to permit movement thereof for switchin or the like, a trainman will operate either lever I9 and thereby shaft l8 and lever I! to their brake release position for thereby operating lever I2 to turn the plug valve to its brake release position ,for closing communication between the AB control valve and the brake cylinder device 9 and for opening said brake cylinder device to atmosphere through the cavity l and port l3 in said plug valve and thence through the atmospheric port l4. With the brake cylinder device 9 thus disconnected from the AB control valve and open to atmosphere, fluid under pressure will be released from said brake cylinder device to release the brakes on the vehicle, while holding the fluid pressure still remaining in the auxiliary and f emergency reservoirs.

1 and the brake cylinder device, whereupon the pressure of fluid in said reservoirs will equalize into said device for reapplying the brakes on the vehicle. If the operator then desires to again release the brakes he will move an operating h-an dle IE! to its release position for thereby closing communication between the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs and the brake cylinder device and for opening the brake cylinder device to atmosphere for thereby again releasing the brakes on the .vehicle while holding the remaining fluid pressure in the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs.

With the brake pipe 4 vented the trainman may, in the manner just described, release an application of brakes on the vehicle and reapply the brakes and continue such operation as long as sumcient pressure of fluid remains in the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs for operating the brake cylinder device 9.

When the vehicle is again out into a train and the brake pipe 4 is recharged the pilot valve device 35 will again operate, when the pressure of fluid in chamber 42 is increased to a degree suflicient to overcome spring 49, to seat the valve 50 therein and open the valve 55, for thereby again opening pressure chamber 22 in the cylinder 20 toatmosphere, whereupon spring 21 will return the piston 2| to the position in which it is shown in the drawing in contact with stop'28. If the lever l2 and plug valve II are in the application position shown in the drawing, this movement of the piston 2| will merely be relative to said lever and valve, but in case the plug valve H is in its brake release position this operation of said piston by spring 21 will automatically return said valve to its application position for insuring that the brake cylinder device 9 will be connected to the AB control valve to provide subsequent control of the brakes on the vehicle by operation of said control valve in response to variations in pressure of fluid in the brake pipe 4, in the usual manner.

In the structure shown in Fig. 2 the cylinde 29 isarranged on the opposite side of the plug valve operating lever |2 to that shown in Fig. 1, whereby fluid pressure is required in pressure chamber 22, when the-brake pipe 4 is charged, for actuating piston 2| against spring 21 for moving the plug valve operating lever l2 to its normal position and for holding it in such position during operation of the vehicle in the train. Upon release of fluid pressure from the pressure chamber 22 the spring 21 will move piston 2| to the position in which it is shown in the drawing to permit movement of the plug valve operating lever |2 to its different positions by a trainman operating lever 9. To thus control the cylinder 29 in the structure shown in Fig. 2 the fluid pressure supply pipe 40 is connected to the bracket passage 38, while the passage 39 is open to atmosphere, the connections to these passages being just the reverse of the connections in the structure shown in Fig. 1. With this arrangement when the brake pipe 4 is charged and the pilot valve device 35 is operated to establish communication between passages 36 and 38 fluid under pressure will be supplied to the pressure chamber 22 in the cylinder device 20 for actuating piston :a l b movezthe :Dlllg valve Ll 3811165132099 sting :lever A2 $0 :and then :hold :iihem against movementouter-theirpormslonanmleatiompos :tion. .I'IOWEVBY, when zthe :brake pipe :is :venterl the ioperation f :the :pilctwahe device will :connect the pressure chamber .to atmosphere :tluough the :hraclret p.assage 3-9 to a'permitpmovement :of piston ,2 I 1110 :the apositionrinawhich it :28 :shown in the: drawing:for permittingropemtion13f lever |;2 and;plug valve g :to .liheirfiifierentimsltions :by :either :trainmanis mperatingilever 1L9,

it will rthus be seen Jihad; *in :the structurfi shown in :Figs. 11 :and -.2, the cylinders 0 apex-ate ijust op ositely, that jis, in -';the structure shown in Eig. ;1 the 1 piston :2 I :iis roperative :by spring :21 :to .move the plug valve ate :;and*:.-then:.ho1d:i in its :normal position upon acharg'lng of ibrake pipe 4 :and during {operation in :12. trein,--svhlle;=in the structure shown in Fig. 2 fluid pressure :in

mressure-chamberifl is requiredior moving \said :plug valve to end ;f.or holding :it in Lit/s film-H1351 iposition, under this condition.

vIt will-be noted :that in-thedrawingsrthe pilot valve :rievice :35 eiSfShOWD. lat a muchilerger-scale ridden :the other :parts: of: the equipment. .Actually the pilot valve device 35 will;-beimuch;smailer ;than :the -:cylinder device .20, :and chamber 42 above zdiaph-ragm :41 tinusaid pilot valve :deviee abe only a t'fra'ctionroi gthe :volume of 'EDIESSHTB chamber :22 Elna-the wylincler :21). :pilot valve :device 35 is :provided rfor controlling =:.the :suppl-y and :release or; fluid under :pressure ::to.:.arrd:1from the relatively largespressnre :chambersZZ twhile tthe relatively :smallechember fl.of;the;pilotuvalee device is operrtdbrakepipe 4.

It :is undesirable :to .-.con-nect :any unnecessary wo-lume to :the brake pipe 4 of a vehicle due to the rialct :thatssuch .VOlliHlQ\WillASlQWJIZlOWIl' the serial :propagation tar as. reduction .in Hershezzpressure through a strain, :and :if -;the :vol' none ,is sufficiently large, res in the :ease :of pressure :chember E22 :i-n r-tzhe s cylinder 211, .such propagation may loc -prevented. W-here'qit ismiessary, however, :to :comrectitorthe rbmlre mines re-volume to. obtaina:desiredlcontrolwperatiomit is desirable that :such ivolume he :held Ta New minimum; lilrerdiaphragmzehamber flflmtheepilot avalvecdevice,1.in:orderttoiinsuretthetrserielgpnopagation of a reduction in brakeapipecpressurerwm 'nccurithrouehouten entire train. tThisiisithe zt-rea'sonior: using theepilot vatlvexrlevlce'fifirwith its .rel-ativelyssmell IBIGSSIIZ84E1IE11IIIhEI'l42(Dpqn to :th :brake pipe :3 tier .controll-ingzthe gpressure .:of:-;flfl'i1 l in Tilhei' relatively? lorgezpressnreachamber :22 .ofithe --cylinder (2o, instead :of opemng said :pressune zflhasnlbeliifijdileflfihd brekerpipe'afl.

If desireclea snap-sectingxvalve 'devieerilLxshown in 3 of. theorist-wing, may-ice empleyerhimplaee pf rthe pilot :valve -;device 535 in rthe iequipment -ShOWI'11iI1aFi lZL-QfZDhGJIIaWiHE. :Theev l-ve-idevise -61] .;comprises :a casing containing awv l-vemiston :61 {one side 'oftwhichxis arran ed 0110091 11218 with an annular seatrBZ iformeriao :themasioz. 'll'fheaseat 62 encircles ;-a passage 63 ;--wl 1:ichrls-open 8 move away :fmm "said :sea .-.i-nto ze rrtect w th p seat H in the easing :for nosing th 5 911 1 11 cation. sAsmting'i'lfi containediimcham rfiiiend supported :at one end .01 :the easing -bee'rs -at -i,t, s npoosi-teienid against the valve:pistoneli I t meingit toits .seat ezgainsmseat fiz.

The pressure cof spring 12 on the valve piston .z i'l cslsnch, :when said valve pi ton :is in c ntact wit'hfseat files tmmq lire a certain increase in :pressureinzthe b sepipesl zendrtherehy i eassage 163, such as @0 or 'fi51poun s t rovide suificientzziorceron L sa-id valve piston wi hin said seatato more said Naive pistonegainst spring 1 2 into contact with its seat 1-]. When the valve piston 61 isrout 2 f ;e.ontact with sea-M62 and its .zirfll lowenarea isqsuhj ec,ttopressures-of fluid fmm the zbreket ipe 14, said p essure :mnst be reduced :to :some phosenllow ede ree, such as,2 ;p 11nds. nto permltrmovemen of ,saidvel-ve; piston by spring r12 :out of contact with seat i! l and 1 into --contatct :witheseelt 62.

InzOpBlfltiOll, when the brake :pipe 4 and other parts :of :the 1 equipment :are -rully charged with fluidwunder pressure, the valve piston -6l willlbe :i'nzitsnupper .-p.0sition -ir1 contact withseat FM for establishing pom-munigatioh "between r the .bra-ke spine 4: andsannnlargcavit efi4 .through the passage "63. "With this -commu cetion open ,fluid from :therbrake pipe wvill how 1 through zannul-ar cavity 'rfletozperssage 465 and Ashen pest-the check valve l a Y fillendzfromfithe la er cavity-through message1158cmdzpipanztmpressnre chamberq'2r2 in s-thercylinder :29 and actuate =plst0n .Zl ,.a,ga-i-nst spring 562'! into pcontect with stop 1 3 3 {or thereby elctuatingather-pistonzrod 1219 to-movesif necessary, the plug-velverlrl .to itsvnorm lposition.

When the -'pressure in the brake pip 4 is ,arerlucedifonefiect-ing anrapplication of brakes, the :velve :plston' 5 l and 11601; welveafifi will prevent Liharck flow ofr'fluid under 1 pressure f,-rom: the pressure chamberefl and cylinderlfl to thebrakepipe 15 whereby :seid pressure chamber is effectively isolated afromarthe brekewpipeonrine such Opera- :tion :so 'asznotoJ-iint rfer v ththe serial pr re ation :of 1a ;.-re;iuction in ra ,p p pressur -throughe .-train.

p-rkssumirrglthat thefpressure normally cer-riedvin thei hrakemi-pe :42 [-7.0 pound-s endthet, e20 pound 5 eductionttherem tofl -;pounds is requiredior s!) retreating e :iulLserv-ice -=app1icatiou of brakes, .i

vevllill I heseen {that -tsin'ce the :Hbrake pipe pressure vmust bemediaced toelovier degree, rsuchzasltov20 pounclsrbefoneethevalve piston 6| can move-"out fifqGGfltfiflt-;Wil}h-;S8Lt:1 ithettthe pressure of tfillid millhe maintainediinspressurecham-ber 2,2.ofhe

e lylinderzj-fitto, holfidz the eplug valve l i in the V-DOsition opening the AB control vialvevto the ,brake cylinder device ..9 for insuring normal control of the -Jorekes-ron the vehicle. ,The ,pilot valve tdeviccs sfiotshoivnlino-Ff es. .1 end zeoper a this .-seme slow .brake pipe ,pressure for the same seasons.

llntcese of an-,-emere;enoy; reduction in pressure end thus mpl te event g 1 of fluid under presto brake pipe 4, and surrounding saidseat is ian :GSYSLU-BrfliQln the brake pip to atmospher as ermuler ce-vity'gee 'iwihich-iseopen throughearpassage 5 errd -past :a check :,-va1-ve 66 21311911811110 ea. ecavity eininthe .casirrg. Themavitw-H is q-open through :a passage 268 :to pipe 3 .rleadirrgito .-the :cylinderzfi.

.iAt the opposite side of eveleve zzelston fil 18:8. .rchambertav whlch is constantly openstozetmos- :zphere lthrough .a ;;.pass@ge, When the valve piston 6.! iswsea-ted on seat-flechamber fifldssallso nvhenla rehicleissetpu ore train. for .swi.tchin g rglle tations-or thelilre, the valve pistonv El .will vhe 7 moved by; spring .12 sintocontact withuseat 62 when the pressure ,of fluidin the brake pipe 41s rreducedto therelatively low degreeehove men- .19

'tloned. .With tl1e valvepiston Bl llhus out of rcontact withitsseat 1| pressure -Qhsmber 22 in 151.16 cylinder ,ZB Will beropened to atmosphere llihrough- .oavityj] and pessagelfle :Iihe piston 2 l eopenvtmcavityifil butlsaid piston .ls ad ptedlto will then be moved by springrzl rtothe position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing for permitting movement of the plug valve I I to its different positions by the trainmans handle [9, for either releasing the brakes on the vehicle without losing the fluid pressure remaining in the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs, or for reapplying the brakes by such fluid under pressure,

in the same manner as before described.

When a vehicle is again out into a train and the brake pipe and brake equipment are recharged with fluid under pressure, the valve piston 6| will move from contact with seat 62 into contact with seat II when the brake pipe pressure is increased to the desired pressure, such as 60 pounds, whereupon fluid under pressure from the brake pipe will flow to pressure chamber 22 and actuate piston 2| to move the plug valve I l to its normal position, if not already in that position. Movement of the valve piston 6| as just described is delayed until the brake pipe pressure is increased to the degree mentioned, in order to prevent the pressure chamber 22 being connected ;to the brake pipe before the AB control-valve operates to open-the brake cylinder pipe 8 to atmosphere, otherwise the volume of chamber 22 would unnecessarily delay the increase in brake pipe pressure required to obtain a release of brakes on the vehicle and in a train.

Summary It will now be seen that I have provided a mechanism whereby a trainman, either while riding a railroad vehicle or from the ground and with the brake pipe completely vented, may release an application of brakes on the vehicle without dissipating the fluid pressure remainingin the fluid pressure storage reservoir or reservoirs thereon, and whereby he may reapply the brakes by such fluid under pressure if such is desired, and which is automatically operative upon recharging of the brake pipe to connect the brake for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to effect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure. supply communication from said reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit j equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe'pressure to release fluid under pressurefromsaid communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its different positions, a structure 'for moving said valve means to and for holding said valve means in said normal position, and

pressure responsivemeans operable by pressure 10 of fluid in said brake pipe to' effect operation of said structure and operative upon venting of fluid under pressure from said brake pipe to render said structure ineffective.

2. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to effect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said. mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, -m'anu- 'ally operable means for moving said valve means to its different positions, spring means, movable abutment means subject to pressure of said spring means and opposing pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber for selectively moving said valve means to and for holding same in said normal position or for permitting manual movement thereof to its different positions according to the presence or absence of fluid under pressure in said pressure chamber, and valve means controlled by brake pipe pressure for controlling the fluid under pressure in said pressure chamber according to the presence or absence of fluid under pressure in said brake pipe.

3. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said Vehicle and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to effect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage'reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction, in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its difi'erent positions, spring means,

'movable abutment means subject to pressure of "said spring means and opposing pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber for selectively moving said valve means to and for holding same in Said normal position or for permitting-manual movement thereof to its different positions according for use with a vehicle :fluid pressure brake-equipment ofthetype comprising a brake pipe, a deviceoperable by fluid underpressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle'and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to eflect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one-fluid pressure storagereservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction'in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to. said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of thepressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe'pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position'for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to itsdifierent positions, spring. means, movable abutmentmeans subject topressure of said spring means and opposing pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber. for selectively moving said valve means to and. for holding same in said normal position or forpermitting' manual movement thereof to its different positions according to the presence or absence of fluid under pressure in said pressure chamber; and a second-valve means controlled by pressure of fluid insaid'brake pipe operative by a chosen pressure therein to supply fluid under pressure from said brake pipe to said pressure chamber and operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to a chosen lower degree-to establisna fluid pressure release communication from said chamber.

5. A brake release and applicationvmechanism for-use. with a'vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment oi the type comprising a brake pipe,- a device operable by'fluid under pressure. to effectan application of. brakes on said vehicleand operable upon release of fluid under pressure to effect a release of thevehicle-brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and abrake: controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in. brake pipepressureto-establish a fluid'pressure supply communication from said' reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brakepipepressure to release fluid-under pressure from said communication; said mechanism comprising valvemeans'having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressureirom said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its diiferentpositions, spring means, movableabutment means subject topressure' of said spring means and opposing. pressure of fluid in a pres- Sure chamber for selectively: moving. said valve means to: and for holding same in. said normal position or for: permitting manual movement thereof to its difierent positions according, to the presence or absence orfluidunder. pressure: in said pressure chambena second valve. means'for supplying: fluid under pressure from saidreservoir to said pressure chamber and for releasing fluidunder pressure from said pressure chamber, and means operative. according to the presence or absence: of fluid under pressure in said brake pipe for controlling said second valve means.

6. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a-vehicle fluid pressure brake. equipment oftl'ie type comprising.a brakecpipe, adevice'operable by. fluid-under pressure to effect. an application ofbrakes on said vehicle and operable upon releaseoffluid under pressure toefi'ect a' release of. the vehicle brakes, atleast. one fluid pressure storagereservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe-r pressure. to establish a fluid pressure supply communication f rom said reservoir. to said fluid pressure operabledeviceto permit equalization-of the pressurestherein and operableupon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication,- said mechanism comprising valve means havinga nor-- mal position for opening said communication and a brake release-position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device manually operable means for moving said valve means to. its different positions, springmeans,, movable abuts ment means operable by said. spring. means. to move said valve means to said normal position andimovable against said spring, means relative to said valve means upon. supply of. fluid. under pressure to a pressure chamber to render. said valve means operable by, saidmanually operable means, and means operable by fluidunder pressure in said brake pipeto. open said. pressure chamber to atmosphere and operable upon venting of fluid under pressure-from said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said pressure chamber;

7. A brake release andapplication mechanism for use With' a vehiclefluid pressure'brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to effect a release of the vehicle brakes; at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and" a brakev controlling" valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to: establish a fluid pressure supply communication from saidreservoir t'osaid fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the" pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication. said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening. said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its difier'en't' positions; spring means, movable abutment means operable by said spring means to move said valve means to said normal position and movable against said spring means relative to said valve means upon Supply of fluid under pressure to apressure chamber to render said valve means operable by said manually oper'ablei means, valve means controlling communication between. said pressure chamber and said reservoir and. atmosphere. and. means. operable by fluid under pressure in said brake pipe to effect operation of said. valve.v means. to open. said. pres.-. sure chamber to. atmosphere and. operable upon venting of fluid under pressure from said. brake pipe to effect operation of said valve. means to open said pressure chamber. to. said reservoir.

8. A. brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising abrake. pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of. brakes on said vehicle and operable uponrelease of fluid. under. pressure to effect a release or the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its different positions, spring means, movable abutment means subject to opposing pressure of said spring means and pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber and operable by the pressure of fluid in said chamber to move said valve means to said normal position and operable by said; spring means upon release of fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber to render said valve means operable by said manually operable means, and means operable by fluid under pressure in said brake pipe to supply fluid under pressure to said pressure chamber and operable upon venting of fluid under pressure from said brake pipe to open said pressure chamber to atmosphere.

9. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle and operable upon release of fluid under pressure to efl'ect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to saidfluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release. fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasin fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its diflerent positions, spring means, movable abutment means subject to opposing pressure of said spring means and pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber and operable by the pressure of fluid in said chamber to move said valve means to said normal position and operable by said spring means upon release of fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber to rendersaid valve means operable by said manually operable means, a second valve means controlling communication between said pressure chamber and said reservoir and atmosphere, and means operable by fluid under pressure in said brake pipe ;to efiect operation of said second valve means to open said pressure chamber to said reservoir and operable upon venting of fluid under pressure from said brake pipe to effect operation of said valve means to open said pressure chamber to atmosphere.

10. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe, a de-- vice operable, by fluid under pressure to effectv an application of brakes on said vehicle and op- ,able upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its difierent positions,springmeans, movable abutment means subject to opposing pressure of said spring means and. pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber and operable by the pressure of fluid in said chamber to move said valve means to said normal position and operable by said spring means upon release of fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber to render said valve means operable by said manually operable means, snap-acting valve means operative upon an increase in pressure of fluid in said brake pipe to a chosen degree to establish communication between said brake pipe and pressure chamber and operative upon a reduction in pressure in said brake pipe to a lower degree to close said communication and open said pressure chamber to atmosphere, and a check valve in said communication for preventing reverse flow of fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber to said brake pipe.

11. A brake release and application mechanism for use with a vehicle fluid pressure brake equipment of the type comprising a brake pipe. a device operable by fluid under pressure to effect an application of brakes on said vehicle and operable upon release oi fluid under pressure to effect a release of the vehicle brakes, at least one fluid pressure storage reservoir, and a brake controlling valve device operative upon a reduction in brake pipe pressure to establish a fluid pressure supply communication from said reservoir to said fluid pressure operable device to permit equalization of the pressures therein and operable upon an increase of brake pipe pressure to release fluid under pressure from said communication, said mechanism comprising valve means having a normal position for opening said communication and a brake release position for closing said communication and for releasing fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure operable device, manually operable means for moving said valve means to its different positions, spring means, movable abutment means subject to opposin pressure of said spring means and pressure of fluid in a pressure chamber and operable by the pressure of fluid in said chamber to move said valve means to said normal position and operable by said spring means upon release of fluid under pressure from said pressure chamber to render said valve means operable by said manually operable means, other spring means, and a valve piston subject on one side to pressure of said other spring means and on the opposite side to pressure in said brake pipe and movable against said other spring means to a normal position upon an increase in pressure in said brake pipe for establishing a communication:

from said brake pipe to said pressure chamber. a check valve in said communication between $4903.89! 15 t6 midi valve: piston'vand pressure: cnamberfon preventing: reverse.- fi'ow: of fluid" under pressure REFERENCES CITED thrnugha said. communicatiom. said other. spring The following references are ofnecord: in:- the meanszbeing operative. upon arreductiondn brake file of this patent: pipe: pressure to actuate said: valve piston to an- 5 other position for! closing: said. communication UNITED STATES PATENTS: amt for: opening said. pressure chamber to at- Number Name Date: mosphere; and means for: reducing the area oft 2350;2412 McAlpine May 30 19% said: valve piston subject. to, pressure-of fluid in saidibnake I pipewhen inisaid other position-'to less 10 thana subject in: said normal position.

EARLE S. (200K.v 

